Accused CSN professor removed from classroom

A College of Southern Nevada professor has been removed from the classroom while facing felony charges of sexual assault, assault with a deadly weapon, coercion with physical force and misdemeanor domestic battery.

Michael Granata, an 11-year professor in the department of human behavior at the college's Henderson campus, was arrested April 12.

His arraignment will be held May 8 in Henderson Justice Court.

Granata, 49, was arrested on allegations that he struck his live-in girlfriend, held a shotgun to her stomach and digitally penetrated her, causing bleeding, according to the arrest report.

She had several cuts, bruises, bumps and bloodstains consistent with the claims, according to the report.

Granata told Henderson police that he was acting in self-defense and that some of her wounds were self-inflicted, according to the report.

Granata was placed on home duty on April 23, college officials said. He is working from home while not teaching classes on campus. He is paid a salary of $62,427, the officials said.